National Museum of African American History and Culture

SM&W Contribution

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the 19th Smithsonian museum and the last to be constructed on the National Mall. SM&W has been involved since the inception of the project in 2008, when we assisted in the development of the program of requirements for the facility.

In addition to the exhibition halls, the museum will house an auditorium, a café, offices and an education center. Currently, the museum’s 15,000 artifacts are on exhibit at the National Museum of American History; an estimated 35,000 artifacts will be added to the collection to create permanent galleries at the new museum. The Smithsonian will use the museum to highlight the dark corners of American History and to promote diversity through African American culture and history.

Four architecture firms worked to create the distinct bronze “corona” design that was inspired by African-American metal work. It has been designed to achieve a LEED Gold certification.

Read more about The National Museum of African American History and Culture in this NYTimes article

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THE SMITHSONIAN’S National Museum of African American History and Culture opens on Sept. 24 in Washington after a long journey. Thirteen years since Congress and President George W. Bush authorized its construction, the 400,000-square-foot building stands on a five-acre site on the National Mall, close to the Washington Monument. President Obama will speak at its opening dedication.